Aerial delivery system

Abstract

A deceleration platform for aerial delivery of pay loads into water is described. The deceleration platform comprises an upper flexible support for supporting a payload and a lower flexible sheet having a cross-sectional shape which is configured to displace fluid (i.e., the water into which the platform is delivered) lateraly on entry of the deceleration platform to the water to decelerate the deceleration platform. A rigid frame supports the upper flexible support and the lower flexible sheet, with the upper flexible support being aranged above the lower flexible sheet. A rigging spreader apparatus for securing a payload to a deceleration platform is also described.

1 . A deceleration platform for aerial delivery of payloads into water, the deceleration platform comprising:
 an upper flexible support for supporting a payload;   a lower flexible sheet having a cross-sectional shape which is configured to displace fluid laterally on entry of the deceleration platform to the water to decelerate the deceleration platform; and   a rigid frame supporting the upper flexible support and the lower flexible sheet, with the upper flexible support being arranged above the lower flexible sheet.   
     
     
         2 . A deceleration platform according to  claim 1 , wherein the rigid frame supports the upper flexible support and the lower flexible sheet from different respective frame members. 
     
     
         3 . A deceleration platform according to  claim 2 , wherein the respective frame members are vertically offset from one another. 
     
     
         4 . A deceleration platform according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper flexible support and the lower flexible sheet are each supported from the rigid frame by at least one respective tensioner configured to maintain the respective flexible sheet under tension. 
     
     
         5 . A deceleration platform according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper flexible support and the lower flexible sheet are each supported from the rigid frame by at least one respective tensioner configured to control tension in the respective flexible sheet. 
     
     
         6 . A deceleration platform according to  claim 1 , wherein the rigid frame comprises:
 a rectangular base section;   a plurality of upstanding side members along each longitudinal edge of the base section, such that the base section and the upstanding side members form a generally U-shaped cross-sectional profile;   a plurality of bracing members connected to an upper surface of the base section at or near a central longitudinal axis of the base section; and   a plurality of cross-members, wherein each upstanding side member is further supported by one of the plurality of cross-members which connects the upstanding side member with one of the plurality of bracing members.   
     
     
         7 . A deceleration platform according to  claim 6 , wherein the upper flexible support is supported from an upper end of the upstanding side members, and wherein the lower flexible sheet is supported from a middle portion of the upstanding side members. 
     
     
         8 . A deceleration platform according to  claim 7 , wherein each bracing member of the plurality of bracing members is an elongate structure which is positioned perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular base section. 
     
     
         9 . A deceleration platform according to  claim 6 , wherein the rigid frame comprises a plurality of trusses, wherein adjacent pairs of upstanding side members are connected together by one of the plurality of trusses. 
     
     
         10 . A deceleration platform according to  claim 6 , wherein an upper end of each upstanding side member comprises a fixing point for a parachute riser. 
     
     
         11 . A deceleration platform according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower flexible sheet is supported by the frame so as to have a staged V-shaped cross section, such that the lower flexible sheet has two walls and an end part,
 said walls extending from said end part, and said walls and said end part defining the staged V-shaped cross-section,   said walls each having a first portion adjacent to said end part and a second portion remote from said end part,   said first portions of said walls having a first angle of divergence and, together with said end part, defining a tip section of said lower flexible sheet, and   said second portions of said walls having a second angle of divergence and defining a body section of said lower flexible sheet, wherein   said second angle of divergence is greater than said first angle of divergence.   
     
     
         12 . A deceleration platform according to  claim 11 , wherein the rigid frame comprises a tip support tube and tensioning struts to support the lower flexible sheet at the end part and at junctions between the tip section and the body section. 
     
     
         13 . A deceleration platform according to  claim 12 , wherein the tip support tube and the tensioning struts are removably mounted to the rigid frame. 
     
     
         14 . A kit of parts for making a deceleration platform according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A rigging spreader apparatus for securing a payload to a deceleration platform, the rigging spreader apparatus comprising:
 an elongate beam;   a support foot configured to support the elongate beam relative to a payload; and   a tie down eye at an end of the elongate beam for attaching rigging between the rigging spreader apparatus and the deceleration platform.   
     
     
         16 . A rigging spreader apparatus according to  claim 15 , further comprising an elongate leg connecting the support foot to the elongate beam, wherein a length of the leg is adjustable. 
     
     
         17 . A rigging spreader apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the support foot is pivotably connected to the elongate leg. 
     
     
         18 . A rigging spreader apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the elongate leg is removably connected to the elongate beam. 
     
     
         19 . A rigging spreader apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the tie down eye is removably connected to the elongate beam. 
     
     
         20 . A rigging spreader apparatus according to  claim 15 , comprising a plurality of support feet, the plurality of support feet being arranged in pairs along the elongate beam, each pair of support feet being connected to the elongate beam by a pair of elongate legs arranged in an A-frame formation. 
     
     
         21 . A kit of parts for making a rigging spreader apparatus according to  claim 15 .